Quechua

noun

Que·​chua ˈke-chə-wə How to pronounce Quechua (audio)
ˈkech-wə
plural Quechua or Quechuas
1
: a family of languages spoken by Indian peoples of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina
2
a
: a member of an Indian people of central Peru
b
: a group of peoples forming the dominant element of the Inca Empire
Quechuan
ˈke-chə-wən How to pronounce Quechua (audio)
ˈkech-wən
adjective or noun

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, probably from Southern Peruvian Quechua qheswa (simi), literally, valley speech

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Quechua was in 1688

Dictionary Entries Near Quechua

Cite this Entry

“Quechua.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Quechua. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Quechua

noun
Que·​chua ˈkech-(ə-)wə How to pronounce Quechua (audio)
kə-ˈchü-ə
plural Quechua or Quechuas
: a family of closely related languages spoken by American Indian peoples of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina

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